Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
How It Works 
News - Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI Summary - About
Stepan Company(SCL)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for SCL
11/10/2026: SCL (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Stepan Company is a well-established specialty chemical manufacturer known for its focus on surfactants and polyurethane systems. The stock is often viewed as a stable, dividend-focused investment suitable for long-term holders, backed by a strong track record of consistent dividend growth. Its primary strengths lie in deep customer relationships and technical expertise, while its main growth opportunities involve advancing bio-based ingredients and serving the energy-efficient construction sector. Investors should monitor risks related to cyclical demand in construction, volatile raw material costs, and competition in global chemical markets. Overall, the company offers a disciplined approach to operations and capital allocation in an essential industrial sector.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Stepan is a mature company with steady growth rather than high-growth potential. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock often trades based on broader cyclical trends rather than sharp momentum catalysts. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | Stepan often trades at valuation multiples that appeal to long-term value-oriented investors. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | The company's status as a long-term dividend grower makes it highly attractive for income seekers. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The company’s stable business model and long history of dividends provide lower relative risk. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | Raw material costs impact margins significantly. |
| Valuation risk | Low | The stock is generally reasonably valued relative to historical norms. |
| Competition risk (Specialty chemicals) | Medium / high | Intense global competition affects pricing power. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company has a durable market position and strong customer retention. |
| Dividend income | Strong | Excellent track record of dividend reliability. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully managing global supply chains is essential for profitability. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -5.57% | Avg. Invested days 36 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/10/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.55B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 358.37 | 1Y Target Price 85 |
Price to earnings Ratio 358.37 | 1Y Target Price 85 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 165.2K shares | Beta 0.91 | 52 Weeks Range 40.88 - 72.67 | Updated Date 11/10/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 40.88 - 72.67 | Updated Date 11/10/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.36% | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.19 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Surfactants | Chemicals for cleaning, personal care, and industrial uses. | The primary revenue driver; look for trends in consumer hygiene spending. |
| Polymer | Resins and polyols for construction, insulation, and adhesives. | Highly sensitive to housing starts and construction activity. |
| Geography (Global) | Operations in North America, Europe, and Latin America. | Diversified revenue base helps mitigate regional economic downturns. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-28 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.73 | Actual 0.94 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 0.17% | Operating Margin (TTM) 4.56% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.33% | Return on Equity (TTM) 0.35% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 358.37 | Forward PE 19.3 | Enterprise Value 2.10B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.61 |
Enterprise Value 2.10B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.61 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.83 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.91 | Shares Outstanding 22.73M | Shares Floating 21.44M |
Shares Outstanding 22.73M | Shares Floating 21.44M | ||
Percent Insiders 5.79 | Percent Institutions 89.75 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.